cleaing buffing pads

[Ranger72]

I never actually clean my pads. I normally jut take a briste brush and rev up the makita, then store the pads back in the bag they came in. Is there anything else to that I should be doing? I have never had a problem with the pads thus far but want to be sure. I have tried searching with no help.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: cleaning buffing pads

Originally posted by Ranger72
I never actually clean my pads. I normally jut take a bristle brush and rev up the Makita, then store the pads back in the bag they came in. Is there anything else to that I should be doing? I have never had a problem with the pads thus far but want to be sure. I have tried searching with no help.

A lot of people wash them, however Meguiar's doesn't recommend this procedure. I like you have been cleaning my foam pads by drawing a nylon brush across the face of them, or holding a terry cloth towel into the foam while revving the buffer up to speed. It's been working since 1988.

I know a lot of people don't own a rotary buffer so this makes cleaning their foam pads more difficult especially since the dual action polisher tends to saturate the pad with product during a detailing session.

[Ranger72]

yeah, I know how the D.A. fills the pads a bit. I use a tooth brush as a substitute as a nylon brush on accoutn of I dont know where to go an appropriate brush. any reccomendations.

[gb387]

This is what I do with my PC pads... Soak them in dawn dish soap and water for about 10 min. Then gently "work" them to wash out the wax/polish/cleaner. Once the product is out I rinse WELL and stand the pad on end to allow water to run down and out it takes a the better part of a day to dry.

It is not recommended by Meguiars but I have had very good luck with this wash method.

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by gb387
This is what I do with my PC pads... Soak them in dawn dish soap and water for about 10 min. Then gently "work" them to wash out the wax/polish/cleaner. Once the product is out I rinse WELL and stand the pad on end to allow water to run down and out it takes a the better part of a day to dry.

It is not recommended by Meguiars but I have had very good luck with this wash method.

This method works very well. Just don't machine wash or dry them and you'll be OK.

RamAirV1

[thejazzguy]

What will happen if you don't clean the pads? I put them into the bag when done; they stay damp for weeks. I don't want to instill swirls, but I also don't want the pads to fall apart from using soap.

[RamAirV1]

Before I started washing my pads, I would clean them with a toothbrush before the next use. I never had any swirls doing this process.

You should leave the bag open so the pads can dry out. Eventually mold could grow on them. I have never had mold on any of my Meguiars pads when used with Meguiars products.

RamAirV1

[Lt1Corvette]

I use a nylon brush to clean mine on the da while I am working. I have machine washed them several times without problem.

[Ranger72]

well, it happened to me today! lol I was using 83 with a W8000 on a 2004 infinity G35 coupe (not well maintained at all) and my pad got clogged to the point that the bristle brush didnt clean it. I took the pad off, sprayed it with quik detailer (low on final inspection) and took a toothbrush on the fairly most pad and scrubbed in a fine circular motion. Worked like a champ! mad ethe pad good as new and ready to use after attaching to buffer again and revvignwith the nylon brush to get the quick detailer mostly off! just thought I would share!

[RamAirV1]

Thanks for the tip. That sounds like a good way to do a quick cleanup job on a pad. Were you using it on a DA? And did you have the DA running while you were cleaning it? You probably did not but I want to be sure I wasn't missing something.

RamAirV1

[05BlkAltima]

Are you guys talking about the foam pads? Or the pads for the orbital buffer?

[RamAirV1]

Pads for the orbital buffer.

RamAirV1

[rusty bumper]

I've had some success spinning my pads on the PC while pressing a nylon brush against it........I set the speed at about 3 or 4.

My technique is to scrub the pad with the brush, and then spin the pad while working the brush from the center out.

[Ranger72]

I am referring to my makita rotart. For the first time, the nylon bursh wasnt scrubbing away everything stuck to the pad. However, sicne the PC pads and and rotary pads are the same pads (whether it be 6.5" or 8" same material) this process will still owrk the same.

[05BlkAltima]

What material are your guys pads made of? The once I just bought are made of terry cloth. Can't you just wash those in the washing machine in hot water?